The strange death of the liable relative rule

Abstract

This article examines the long history and the recent demise of the liable relative rule, part of the framework of English welfare law for over 400 years. The liable relative rule allows official agencies to recover the costs of providing support to those depending on certain means‐tested benefits and services from those persons' relatives, where the latter are deemed by law to have the primary responsibility for their maintenance. The liable relative rule has now effectively been abolished for most practical purposes by the Child Maintenance and Other Payments Act 2008 and the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

Keywords:

• social security law
• liable relative rule
• child support
• residential care for the elderly

Acknowledgements

I am grateful to Dr Emma Laurie and to the journal's two referees for their helpful comments on an earlier draft of this paper. The usual terms apply.